Iran: jobs and pay

What is the unemployment rate in Iran?

Iran's unemployment rate was 7.6% of the labour force in 2024, according to the national estimate in the World Bank World Development Indicators. The ILO modelled estimate for 2025 is 8.3%, according to the World Bank.

The national estimate comes from Iran's own labour force survey. A low participation rate, especially among women, means that many people of working age are neither working nor looking for work and so are not counted as unemployed. Iranian government websites, including those of the Central Bank of Iran and the Statistical Centre of Iran, could not be reached on 15 October 2026, so the latest quarterly survey figure could not be confirmed here.

Official sources: World Bank: unemployment, national estimate, Iran · World Bank: unemployment, modelled ILO estimate, Iran

What is youth unemployment in Iran?

21.9% of young people aged 15 to 24 in Iran's labour force were unemployed in 2025, according to the ILO modelled estimate in the World Bank World Development Indicators. The rate was 21.3% in 2024 and 22.7% in 2022.

Youth unemployment is more than twice the overall rate of 8.3%. The figure covers only young people who are working or actively looking for work; students who are not looking for work are not counted. The ILO estimate uses a common international method, so it can differ from Iran's own survey figures.

Official sources: World Bank: youth unemployment, Iran

How many women work in Iran?

14.0% of women aged 15 and over in Iran were in the labour force in 2025, according to the ILO modelled estimate in the World Bank World Development Indicators. The share was 13.5% in 2022.

The labour force includes people working or looking for work. Participation is low even though many women study at university: female tertiary enrolment was 59.1% in 2022, according to the World Bank.

Official sources: World Bank: female labour force participation, Iran · World Bank: female tertiary enrolment, Iran

What is the minimum wage in Iran?

Iranian government websites, including those of the Central Bank of Iran and the Statistical Centre of Iran, could not be reached on 15 October 2026; the minimum wage, which is set each year, could not be read from an official source on the World Bank, ILO or Iranian government websites checked on 15 October 2026.

Official sources: International Labour Organization: Iran

What is the minimum wage in Iran?

In 2024, the statutory minimum wage in Iran was 53,073,300 IRR a month, according to the ILO. No year since 2016 has been higher.

What is the unemployment rate in Iran?

8.3%: that is the unemployment rate in Iran for 2025, according to the ILO. The peak was 13.7% in 2010 and the low 8.1% in 2023. Middle East, North Africa, Afghanistan & Pakistan median: 8.3%; Iran is 11th highest of 21. Worldwide: 47th of 174.

How many young people in Iran are unemployed?

The latest figure from the ILO, for 2025, is 21.9%. The peak was 29.1% in 2016 and the low 21.3% in 2023. Across Middle East, North Africa, Afghanistan & Pakistan the middle value was 18.3%, and Iran placed 9th highest of 21. Of 174 countries with 2025 data, 34th highest.

How many people in Iran are working or looking for work?

The ILO puts the labour force participation rate in Iran at 41.0% in 2025. The peak was 46.1% in 2005 and the low 40.6% in 2022. It is 15th highest of 21 in Middle East, North Africa, Afghanistan & Pakistan, where the median is 45.2%. Of 174 countries with 2025 data, 163rd highest.

How many women in Iran are working or looking for work?

The ILO puts the labour force participation rate for women in Iran at 14.0% in 2025. Its high point since 2005 was 2005, at 18.7%; its low point was 2014, at 13.0%. Across Middle East, North Africa, Afghanistan & Pakistan the middle value was 24.0%, and Iran placed 17th highest of 21. World rank, highest first: 170th of 174.

What is the employment rate in Iran?

In 2025, the employment to population ratio in Iran was 37.6%, according to the ILO. Since 2005 it has ranged from 35.5% (2011) to 40.7% (2005). Across Middle East, North Africa, Afghanistan & Pakistan the middle value was 40.0%, and Iran placed 14th highest of 21. Of 174 countries with 2025 data, 161st highest.

How common is self-employment in Iran?

In 2025, the share of workers who are own-account or contributing family workers in Iran was 39.5%, according to the ILO. Its high point since 2005 was 2006, at 43.3%; its low point was 2022, at 39.5%. Middle East, North Africa, Afghanistan & Pakistan median: 21.6%; Iran is 4th highest of 21. World rank, highest first: 63rd of 174.

What share of jobs in Iran are salaried?

In 2025, the share of workers who are paid employees in Iran was 57.1%, according to the ILO. Its high point since 2005 was 2021, at 57.2%; its low point was 2005, at 51.2%. It is 17th highest of 21 in Middle East, North Africa, Afghanistan & Pakistan, where the median is 74.1%. World rank, highest first: 107th of 174.